PALMYRA – Joan Kurro passed away peacefully May 19, 2013, after a long illness. She was born Nov. 22, 1930, in New York City, to James and Eleanor (McGrath) Welsh.

Joan graduated from Aquinas High School in 1949 and began working for Metropolitan Life Insurance, New York City, where she was active in their theater group. In 1952, Joan answered an urgent recruiting call and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, where she later met and married John Kurro Jr. Joan was co-owner of Gateway Restaurant, 1972-1991. She was a communicant of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Pittsfield. After retirement, she became active with Meals for ME, Newport. She was an avid bowler and stayed active in the lives of her grandchildren and all who knew her as “Nana.”

She was predeceased by her parents; husband, John; and brother, James. She is survived by brother, Thomas Welsh and Cathy Grande of Central Islip, N.Y.; three daughters, Lynda and husband, Robert Woloss, of York Harbor, Kristine Kurro of Portland and Carolyn Kurro of Louisville, Ky.; grandchildren, Dylan Andrews of Quincy, Mass., Dana Andrews of Groveland, Calif., and Otto Shorey of Portland. She is also survived by beloved nephew, Alan Kurro of Springfield, Mass., and his three children, Hope Jacobson of Scarborough, Eian Kurro of Syracuse, N.Y., and Liza Witonis of Dover, N.H.; as well as nieces, Debra Welsh of Albuquerque, N.M., and Sue Welsh of Mesa, Ariz.; and nephew, Kenneth Welsh of Hackettstown, N.J.

Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, at Crosby & Neal, 117 Main St., Newport. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday May 22, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Fr. Paul Murray officiating. Burial will be at Palmyra Village Cemetery. Those who wish may leave written condolences at www.CrosbyNeal.com.